Thanks Mike, for inspiring us
One has to ask why do people, like Mike Trevino take on challenges like RAAM? He was born in Iowa and has lots of siblings and great parents. Maybe he ate some special hybrid corn growing up. We will never know. I have a theory that heroes aren’t born -- they are self made. Those who are willing to do what few others would do even if they could, live heroic lives. They attempt things most of us would not consider doing. Like RAAM.
Conceptually RAAM is difficult to understand, even by whom most would consider great athletes. How may people do Centuries (100 miles) or Double Centuries? Imagine doing 30 or so Centuries back to back, with a couple hours sleep every third Century if you’re fortunate. My back and neck hurt just thinking of it, not to mention my rear end. Welcome to Mike’s world.
The great tours of bicycle racing are usually a couple thousand miles long over a period of about three weeks. The racers get to draft each other, sleep in beds at night and have professional chefs prepare every meal they eat off the bike. Those races are tough. One bad day and you’re out of contention. Just ask Ivan Basso who was contending for the lead in the Giro before he had a bad day in the mountains and lost 30 minutes. Grand Tour bicycle racing is arguably the most difficult team sport in the world. Those races are decided by who wins the time trials. RAAM is one long time trial from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
We admire people like Mike, who take on incredible challenges and prevail. We are inspired by them. There are those who think people like Mike are nuts. They have their point of view. Then again they are probably the same people that like to tell others why something is too hard, too competitive and too unrealistic or that it can’t be done. They hear no and they stop. Thanks Mike, for setting an example of what is possible, for finishing RAAM last year when many people would have quit given the dirty tricks played on you by a rival’s team.
Thanks for making us realize that maybe what we aspire to is possible despite all those who warn us it’s not. I will think about that when I go to bed tonight and when I wake tomorrow morning, knowing that you are out there pedaling, not just for you, but for all of us who aspire to be more than ordinary. Ride on Mike!
Mark Erwin
San Diego
Conceptually RAAM is difficult to understand, even by whom most would consider great athletes. How may people do Centuries (100 miles) or Double Centuries? Imagine doing 30 or so Centuries back to back, with a couple hours sleep every third Century if you’re fortunate. My back and neck hurt just thinking of it, not to mention my rear end. Welcome to Mike’s world.
The great tours of bicycle racing are usually a couple thousand miles long over a period of about three weeks. The racers get to draft each other, sleep in beds at night and have professional chefs prepare every meal they eat off the bike. Those races are tough. One bad day and you’re out of contention. Just ask Ivan Basso who was contending for the lead in the Giro before he had a bad day in the mountains and lost 30 minutes. Grand Tour bicycle racing is arguably the most difficult team sport in the world. Those races are decided by who wins the time trials. RAAM is one long time trial from the Pacific to the Atlantic.
We admire people like Mike, who take on incredible challenges and prevail. We are inspired by them. There are those who think people like Mike are nuts. They have their point of view. Then again they are probably the same people that like to tell others why something is too hard, too competitive and too unrealistic or that it can’t be done. They hear no and they stop. Thanks Mike, for setting an example of what is possible, for finishing RAAM last year when many people would have quit given the dirty tricks played on you by a rival’s team.
Thanks for making us realize that maybe what we aspire to is possible despite all those who warn us it’s not. I will think about that when I go to bed tonight and when I wake tomorrow morning, knowing that you are out there pedaling, not just for you, but for all of us who aspire to be more than ordinary. Ride on Mike!
Mark Erwin
San Diego
1 Comments:
Mark's right. Trevino inspires and Trevino rocks! We were just heading out this past Saturday morning for our measly little 100-miler when Mike whoooooshed by us. It was about 6:15a and we surmised he was just staying loose and keeping his mind and body occupied while awaiting the big start of RAAM. Seeing his relaxed, confident demeanor and powerful body in motion inspired us all. We had a great ride Saturday and images of Mike crankin' across the country will inspire every ride we take this week. (And many more beyond.) Thanks, Mike! You're the man.
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